Refrigerator



Patented Dec. Il, 1923.

UNITED STATES PA'iENrv oFFicE.

ALEXANDER T. IKASILEY, 0F ESSINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION F PENN- SYLVANIA.

' REFRIGERATOR.

Application mea February 4, 192i. serial No. 442,498.

vof refrigeration effected by means of thev evaporation and absorption of a vaporable refrigerant in which the evaporation of the refrigerant is accomplished by a reduction in the pressure thereof, and it has for its object the provision of a novel and efficient pressure regulating means for producing uniform conditions of evaporation.

These and other objedt's, which will be made more apparent throughout the descrip! ton of my invention, are attained by means of the apparatus described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which the single gure is a diagrammatic sectional View of the apparatus embodying 'my invention.

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed understanding of. my invention, I indicate a generator 10 which is Vadapted to contain a solution of caustic potash and water. A source of heat 11 of any suitable character is disposed beneath the genera-tor 10. A pipe 12 leads from the generator rto a condenser 13 which may be of any suitable type and, as shown, comprises a series of coils located within a cylindrical casing 14 through which air is adaptedy to 4be passed. The supply of air through the pipe- 14 is controlled by means of two valves -or dampers 15 and 16 which in turn are operated by means of a diaphragm motor 17. The diaphragm motor comprises a chamber 18, one side of which is formed by a flexible diaphragm 19, the chamber 18 eing connected with the pipe 12 by means of a branch pipe 20. As is clearly indicated, in the drawing, Ione side of the flexible d-iaphragm 19 is exposed to the pressure within the pipe 12 and the other side thereof is subjected to atmospheric pressure. Secured to the central point of the diaphragm is a rod 23 which is associated with suitable levers 24, 25 and 26 in such a mannerfthat the movements of the diaphragm serve to regulate the'extent of pressure is maintained -within the conduit 12 an-d the chamber communicating therewith. Thus, when the pressure withimthe chamber 18 exceeds this predetermined pressure, the diaphragm 19 bulging outwardly will open the valves 15 and 16 increasing the supply of cooling Huid and rate of condensation, and consequently reducing the pressure within fthe generator and condenser. Conversely, when jthe pressure within the chamber 18 is less than this predetermined pressure, the diaphragm bulges inwardly, reducing the passage for the flow of air through the valves 15 and 16 and increasing the pressure within the generator and condenser. The condenser 13 is arranged to discharge through a pipe 27 into a collecting tank 28. A vent 28 of limited capacity is provided in-the upper portion of the collecting tank. A pressure slightly in excess of atmospheric pressure is maintained within the tank 28 by reason of the automatic regulation of pressure effected by the diaphragm motor 17. As a result of this arrangement, a constant discharge of noncondensible gases 4through the vent 28 is provided. In the bottom of the collecting Itank is a reduction valve 29, the vdegree of opening of which` is controlled by means of v a fioat 29 situated within the collecting tank. The reduction vali'e 29 is constructed to deliver a finely divided spray of the refrigerant from tank 28 into the conduit 30 which leads into an evaiporationchamber 31.

The vapors from the .evaporation chamber escape to the upper portion of an `absorber 32. -A strong caustic solution is supplied to the absorber 32 by means` of a pipe 34 which receives a concentrated caustic solution through an inlet 35 and discharges it into the absorber through a spray nozzle 36, which sprays the strong solution downwardly upon a mass of lar material contained within the bottom of the absorber 32. This material is arby the absorption of the water vapor is de livered to the generator through a pipe 38. A chamber 39 is interp-osed in the pipe 38, the inlet and outlet of the chamber being guarded by check valves 40, 41. Situated at alower level than the chamber 3'.) and connected thereto by a pipe. 42 is a diaphragm pump 43 which comprises a double concave casing 44, a diaphragm 45 dividing the casing into chambers 46, 47, the lower chamber 46 being in communication with conduit 42. The upper chamber 47 of the diaphragm vmotor is provided with a cylindrical extension 48 in which a piston 49 is adapted to be reciprocated. Any suitable means for reciprocating the piston 49 may be employed, as for example, a motor 50. The upper chamber 47 and the portion of the cylinder 48 beneath the piston 49 is completely illedwith a liquid, preferably oil, which transmits the pressure due to the reciprocation of the piston 49 to the diaphragm 45 of the diaphragm pump 43.

The pipe 38 is arranged eoncentrically respect to the pipe 34 as shown at 51, for the purpose of effecting a transfer of heat between the incoming and outgoing solutions from the generator 10.

The operation of the apparatus, thc constructural features of which have been set forth above, will now be described. In starting the apparatus, a solution of caustic soda or potash is introduced into the generator 10 in sufficient quantities to fill the conduits 34, 38, 42, chambers 38 and 46 and the generator 10 to a predetermined high level. Air is removed from the system either by means of a vacuum pump connected tothe conduit 28', or b v displacing the air with the vapors of the refrigerant. lVhere the former method of air removal is employed in starting, the forced evacuation through the vent 28 should continue until the pressure within the chamber 28 has reached its normal operating pressure. Thereafter, a slow purging of the system will be had through the vent 28. A continued running of the machine will` however, remove the `air without the use of a vacuum pump by gradually purging off the air through the vent 28', but the use of forced evacuation greatly facilitates the starting of the machine.

The water vapor driven off from the strong solutionkin generator l() is conveyed through the pipe 12 to the condenser 13 where condensation is effected by causing a stream of air or other cooling fluid, to pass over the convolutions of the condenser coil. The extent of opening of the dampers 15 and 16 determines the amount of air permitted V.to pass over the condenser and consequently the rate VYat which condensation will take place, andi/is controlled by the diaphragm motor in` such a manner as to maintain within the condenser and the connected generator a pressure which shall at all times be slightly in excess of atmospheric pressure.

The condensate from the condenser 13 passes to the chamber 28. where air and noncondensable gases are discharged through veut 28', and from which the condensate is delivered through valve 29 into the evaporator 31. Evaporation takes place very rapidly7 within the evaporator due to the low absolute pressure of approximately one-tenth pound absolute maintained therein. The strong caustic solution from the generator 1() passes through the pipe 34 and is cooled by the incoming fluid through the pipe 51. The pressure of the fluid within the pipe 34 is about atmospheric and consequently upon reaching the spray nozzle 36 is projected with considerable force, due to the pressure drop, into the absorber 32.

Provision is made within the absorber for presenting extended surfaces of solution to the water vapor, first, by causing the solution to be sprayed into the top of the absorber and then by causing the solution to trickle down through the granular material in the lower part of the absorber. The water vapor is by these agencies readily absorbed due to the strong affinity of water vapor for the caustic.

The caustic solution weakened by the absorption of the water vapor is drawn into the chamber 38, the capacity of the pump 43 being sufficient to withdraw all of the solution from the absorber.

Thediaphragm pump illustrated is of a novel construction and is arranged with all parts containing the refrigerating fluid her- Inetically unit-ed in order to prevent entrance of air into or leakage of the fluid from the closed' system. 'The chamber 46 and the conduit. 42 will be filled at all times with the caustic solution while the chamber 3S may. under certain conditions, be only partially filled therewith. An upward movement of the diaphragm withdraws the absorbent from the chamber 38 and produces therein a pressure sufiiciently low to cause the Valve 40 to be opened and the solution from the absorber' to enterinto the chamber. Upon a downward movement of the diaphragm 45 the solution within the chamber 43 and conduit 42 is forced upwardly within the chamber 38 until it fills the chamber and builds up a suflicient pressure to open the check valve 41 and discharge the solution into the generator 10.

It will be noted that two predetermined prlssure zones are maintained within the closed system; a pressure slightly in excess of atmosphereic pressure being maintained within the generator 10, condenser 13 and tank 28, which is effected, by controlling the rate of condensation within the condenser 1;-3. and a pressure substantiallyY llt) equal to one-tenth pound absolute, maintained Within the evaporator 31 and the ab sorber 32, due to an absence of air within the system and to the complete discharge of the solution by means of the pump mechanism 44. The valve 29 and the valved chamber 38 constitute two dividing members for maintaining the pressure difference between these two pressure zones of the system.

The above absorption refrigeration apparatus has distinctive advantages over other devices now in use. It maintains predetermined pressures in both the high-pressure and low-pressure zones of the system. It is composed of a plurality of associated tanks all of which are hermetically sealed against the infiltration of air and in which a slight leakage through this vent 28 permits any air or non-condensable gases which may be formed within the system to be discharged. Tlie efiiciency of the apparatus is high and the cost is extremely low in coinparison with the other systems of equal capcity and efficiency.

hile I have shown my invention in but one, form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. The process of refrigeration involving the continuous circulation of an expansible refrigerant within a 'closed 'system fro-in which air has been exhausted, which comprises applying heat toa solution of a refrigerant andan absorbent in a container `whereby vapors of the refrigerant are driven off, condensing the vapors, regulating the rate of condensation to obtain a ressurein excess of atmospheric pressure uring the steps of vaporization and condensation, purging a small (pantity of vapor to remove any noncondensa le vapors, expanding the condensed vapors by spraying into a region of low absolute pressure, withdrawing a portion of the solution from the container into a separate vessel, and absorbing the expanded vapors in the withdrawn solution.

2. The process of refrigeration involving the continuous circulation of an expansible refrigerant within a closed System fromv which air has been exhausted, which coinprises applying heat to a solution of a refrigerant and an absorbent in a container whereby vapors of the refrigerant are driver. off, condensing the vapors, regulating the rate of -condensation to obtain a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure during the steps of vaporization and condensation, Withdrawing the non-condensable gasesgexpanding the condensed vapors by spraying into a region of low absolute pressure, withdrawing a portion of the solution from the container into a separate vessel, and absorbing the ex panded vapors in the withdrawn solution.

3. The Vprocess of refrigeration involving the continuous circulation of an expansible refrigerant. within aI cio-sed system from which air has been exhausted, which comprises applying heat `to a solution of a refrigerant and an absorbent in a container whereby vapors of the refrigerant are driven ofl", condensing the vapors, regulating the rate of condensation to obtain a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure during the steps of vaporization and condensation, purging a small' quantity of vapor to remove any noncondensable vapors, expanding the condensed vapors by spraying into a region of low absolute pressure, withdrawing a portion of the solution from the container into a separate vessel, cooling the solution withdrawn during its withdrawal, absorbing the expanded vapors in the cooled solution, and returning the solution in which the vapors yhave been absorbed to the container.

4. The process of refrigeration involving the continuous circulation of an expa-nsib-le refrigerant within a closed system from which air has been exhausted, which coniprises applying heat to a solution of a refrigerant and an absorbent in a container whereby vapors of the refrigerant are driven off, condensing the `vapors through the medium of a stream of cooling fluid, regulating the flow of cooling fluid to obtain a pressure slightly in excess of atmospheric pressure during the vaporization and condensation, purging asmall quantity of vapor to remove any noncondensablc vapors, ex-` Awhich air has been exhausted, which coinprises applying heat to a caustic. solution in a container whereby aqueous vapors are driven ofl', condensing the vapors through the medium of aI stream of cooling fiuid. regulating tlievlow of cooling fluid to' obtain a pressure slightly in excess of atmospheric pressure during the steps of vvaporization and condensation, purging a small quantity of vapor to remove any noncondensable vapors, expanding the condensed vapors 'by spraying into a region of low absolute pres'- sure,`withdrawing a portion of the solution from the container into la separate vessel, cooling the solution Withdrawn during 1ts withdrawal, absorbing the expanded vapors in the cooled solution, and returning the solution in which the vapors have been absorbed to the container.

6. The process of refrigeration involving the continuous circulation of an expansible refrigerant Within a closed system from Which air has been exhausted, which comprises applying heat to a caustic solution in a container whereby aqueous vapors are driven off, condensing the vapors through the medium of a stream of cooling iuid, regulating the llioxv ot' cooling fluid to obtain a pressure slightly in excess of atmospheric pressure during the steps of vaporization and condensation, withdrawing any non-condensable gases, expanding the condensed vapors by spraying into a region ot low absolute pressure, withdrawing a portion of the solution from the container into a separate vessel, cooling the solution Withdrawn during its Withdrawal, absorb-ing the expanded vapors in the cooled Solution7 and returning the solution in which the vapors have been absorbed to the container.

7. In a refrigeration apparatus eli' cting a. circulation of an expansible refrigerant,

the combination With a generator, a. condenser, an evaporator, an absorber, and a circulation mechanism connected to form a closed system from which air has'been exhausted, of means for maintaining a pressure slightly in excess of atmospheric Within the generator and condenser, means for purging ott' noncondensable gases passing the condenser, and means for maintaining a. low absolute pressure in the evaporator and absorber.

8. In a refrigeration apparatus effecting a circulation of an expansible refrigerant, the combination With a generator, acondenser, an evaporator, an absorber, and a circulation mechanism connected to form a closed system from which air has been exhausted, of

means responsive to the pressure Within the( generato-r and condenser for regulating the rate of condensa-tion Within said condenser, whereby a pressure slightly 1n excess of atmo-spheric pressure is maintained therein,

and means for purging off noncondensable gases passing the condenser.

9, In a refrigeration apparatus effecting a circulation of an expansible refrigerant, the combination with a generator, a condenser, an evaporator, an absorber and a circui lation mechanism connected to form a closed system from which air has been exhausted, of means for effectingcondensation Within the condenser comprising a stream of cooling fluid, means responsive to the pressure Within the generator and condenser for regulating the flow of cooling lluid, whereby a pressure slightly in excess of atmospheric pressure is maintained therein, and means for purging off noncondensable gases pasa ing thecondenser.

10. In an absorption refrigeration system, the combination of a distilling device, means for condensing the refrigerant distilled therefrom, means for regulating the rate of condensation, whereby a pressure in excess of atmospheric is maintained in the condenser, means for purging off noncondensable gases passing the condenser, an evaporator for vaporizing the condensate, and an absorber receiving vapors from the evaporator.

11. In an absorption refrigeration system, the combination of a distilling device, a condenser into which vapors from the distilling device are discharged, and automatic means for maintaining a substantially constant super atmospheric pressure Within the condenser and distilling device, means for purging off noncondensable gases passing the condenser, an evaporator for vaporizing the condensate, and an absorber receiving the vapors from the evaporator.

'12. In an absorption refrigeration system, the combination of a distilling device, a condenser into which vapors from the distilling device are discharged, and automatic means for maintaining a substantially constant super atmospheric pressure Within the condenser and distillingdevice, means for Withdrawing the noncondensable gases, an evaporator for vaporizing the condensate, and an absorber receiving the vapors from the evaporator.

13. In an absorption refrigeration system, the combination of a distilling devi-ce, a condenser, a'conduit connecting the distilling device and the condenser, means for passing a stream of cooling fluid over said condenser, means responsive to the pressure Within the conduit for regulating the How of the cooling fluid, whereby a pressure in excess of atmospheric is maintained in the condenser, means for purging off noncondensable gases passing lthe condenser, an

evaporator for vaporizing the condensate,`

and an absorber receiving the vapors from nu the evaporator.

14. In an absorption refrigeration system, the combination of a distilling device, a condenser, a conduit connecting the distilling device and the condenser, means for passing a stream of coolngvtluid over the condenser, a diaphragm motor responsive Ito the pressure within the conduit, means associated with the motor for regulating the iow of the cooling fluid, whereby a pressure in excess 'f atmospheric is maintained in the condenser, ineans for 'purging olf noncondensable gases passing the condenser, an evaporator for vaporizing the condensate and an absorber receiving the vapors from the evaporator,

15. In combination With a refrigeration apparatus having a pluralit of connected receptacles forming a close system from Whichvair has been exhausted, comprising a generator, a condenser communicating with the generator, an evaporator receiving condensate from the condenser, an absorber receiving vapor from the evaporator and liquor from the generator and a conduit'l for returning the liquor from the absorber to the generator, ofnieans responsive to the pressure within the generator and condenser for maintaining the pressure therein slightly in excess of atmospheric pressure, means for purging off any noncondensable gases, and means associated with said conduit for maintaining a low absolute pressure within the evaporator and absorber.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day of J anu- 20 ary, 1921.

ALEXANDER T. KASLEY. 

